Heavy duty pitched truss and ridge connector therefor

ABSTRACT

A heavy duty pitched truss comprises upper and lower chords interconnected by a lacing of link members. The pitched upper chord is formed in two end-to-end sections interconnected by a ridge connector. The ridge connector is formed in two pieces each comprising a bearing support, securing means for securing the bearing support on the end of one of the upper chord sections, and concavely arcuate and convexly arcuate bearing members projecting outwardly from the support and laterally offset from each other. The convexly arcuate bearing member of one piece overlaps the like member of the companion piece, both being in mating, bearing engagement with the concavely arcuate members of the respective pieces. A suitable connector such as a pivot pin interconnects the two overlapped bearing members. In this manner the stresses applied to the truss are transferred to the truss members through bearing areas of substantial magnitude.

United States Patent Troutner [451 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] HEAVY DUTY PITCHED TRUSS AND RIDGE CONNECTOR THEREFOR [21] App]. No.: 888,417

1,221,937 1/1960 France ..52/645 1,399,663 4/1965 France ..52/645 97,274 3/1961 Netherlands ..287/] 89.36

Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Attorney-Eugene D. Farley [5 7] ABSTRACT 2% A heavy duty pitched truss comprises upper and lower chords E Fem 4| 645 6 692 693 interconnected by a lacing of link members. The pitched 1 I o 2, 6 upper chord is formed in two end-to-end sections interconnected by a ridge connector. The ridge connector is formed in two pieces each comprising a bearing support, securing means [56] References Cited for securing the bearing support on the end of one of the UNlTED S AT S PATENTS upper chord sections, and concavely arcuate and convexly arcuate bearing members projecting outwardly from the support 1,813,373 7/1931 Wooldndge ..52/692 and laterally otfset from each omen The convexly arcuate 2,905,351 2 2? M bearing member of one piece overlaps the like member of the 212 6 3? companion piece, both being in mating, bearing engagement 641968 g with the concavely arcuate members of the respective pieces. 41 48 12,1933 :2: 189/36 A suitable connector such as a pivot pin interconnects the two om overlapped bearing members. In this manner the stresses FOREIGN PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS plied to the truss are transferred to the truss members through bearing areas of substantial magnitude.

166,313 12/1955 Australia ..52/641 974,757 4/1961 Germany ..287/189.36 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBMAR 1 I972 3,646,725

FIG. I

' ARTHUR L. TROUTNER INVENTOR FIG. 4 BY 5* ATTYQ HEAVY DUTY PlTCl-IED TRUSS AND RIDGE CONNECTOR THEREFOR This invention relates to pitched structural trusses and ridge connectors therefor.

A pitched structural truss of one well-known class consists of a lower chord, a pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other, and a plurality of web members interconnecting the upper and lower chords. The adjacent ends of the upper chord sections are coupled at a predetermined angle by means of a ridge connector.

A suitable ridge connector for this purpose must be stable, must maintain the proper pitch and must resist the various stresses which are applied to the truss during its manufacture, erection and use. Where heavy loads are to be applied to the truss, the ridge connector must be designed to transfer the loads without failure.

Accordingly it is the general object of the present invention to provide a pitched structural truss assembly including a ridge connector which will withstand heavy loads, which is formed in two identical pieces comprising a single easily made casting, which is adjustable to any desired upper chord pitch, which is light and strong, and which may be applied rapidly, without the use of special equipment.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a pitched structural truss of the invention including the novel ridge connector illustrating its manner of inclusion in the truss assembly;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views in side elevation and plan respectively illustrating the manner of construction of the ridge connector; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

In essence, the pitched structural truss of the present invention includes a lower chord, a pitched upper chord including two end-to-end sections, web members interconnecting the chords, and a ridge connector interconnecting the adjacent ends of the two upper chord sections. The ridge connector is formed in two matching pieces, each of which includes a bearing support and securing means for securing the same on the end of one of the upper chord sections. The bearing support mounts concavely and convexly arcuate bearing members adjacent and laterally offset from each other and projecting outwardly from the support. The bearing members of one piece mate with those of the companion piece and are interconnected by means of a pivot pin or other suitable means. Since the two bearing members may be of large dimensions, correspondingly large bearing surfaces are provided which will withstand effectively heavy loads applied to the truss.

The general application of the hereindescribed ridge connector is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The pitched truss to which the connector is applied comprises a lower chord 10, an upper chord including two sections 12 arranged end to end at an angle to each other with their adjacent ends spaced apart, and a plurality of interconnecting web members 14 of varying length.

Lower chord and upper chord sections 12 may comprise 2X4, 2X6s, or other structural pieces placed flatwise facing each other. Web members 14 may comprise lengths of steel tubing having flattened, perforated ends.

In the heavy duty construction to which the present invention particularly pertains, lower chord 10 and upper chord sections 12 are made up of two structural pieces placed side by side, parallel to and spaced from each other. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 3, upper chord section 12 consists of two pieces 12a arranged relative to each other in the indicated manner.

Spacing the chord members apart provides slots which are intercepted at spaced intervals by transverse cross bores 16 through the chords. The truss is assembled by inserting the flattened ends of the web members into the slots in overlapped relation and inserting pins 18 through the cross bores and the aligned openings in the flat ends of the web members. The pins are retained by suitable means such as press-on washers 20.

Pitched trusses of the foregoing class are standard items of manufacture with established manufacturing routines and efficiently designed manufacturing apparatus. The present invention provides a ridge connector for use in the manufacture of pitched trusses which improves the performance of the resulting truss by greatly increasing its strength but which does not require substantial modification in mill procedure for including it in the truss assembly.

As is shown in the drawings, the ridge connector accomplishing this purpose is formed as an integral casting in two identical pieces. This is important since it simplifies the connector manufacturing procedure. It further is important in the assembly of the truss since there are no left handed and right handed pieces which must be selected and applied by the workman.

Each of the pieces basically comprises a support, securing means securing the support on the end of the chord section, and bearing elements supported by and projecting outwardly from the support.

Thus each connector element includes an end wall 24 which abuts an end of one of chord section components 12a, a floor 26 which underlies the chord section components, and a central, longitudinal tongue 28 which lies between the two chord section components.

The end of tongue 28 has a perforation 30 which aligns with one pair of aligned cross bores 16 through the chord section components. The latter thus may be seated in the pockets defined by end wall 24, floor 26 and tongue 28, and a pin 18 inserted through the aligned openings for securing the connector piece to the chord section.

The bearing support thus provided mounts mating bearing elements which cooperate with the bearing elements of a companion piece in the assembly of the finished connector.

One of the bearing elements comprises a concavely arcuate member 32 which is supported in the plane of the chord section by an upper web 34 and a lower web 36. These are arranged in an angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the chord section in a manner calculated to provide a concavely arcuate bearing surface of substantial extent, while at the same time providing freedom of adjustment of the angle of the two chord sections relative to each other. This provides clearance for web members 14.

The companion bearing member comprises a plate 38 having a convexly arcuate outer end which matches in its curvature the curvature of concavely arcuate bearing element 32.

Bearing plate 38 is arranged vertically and aligned with tongue 28, but is laterally offset therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the width of companion bearing member 32. It projects outwardly from the latter member a sufficient distance to enter concavely arcuate bearing member 32 of the companion connector piece.

As is evident particularly in FIG. 4, concavely arcuate bearing element 32 in effect is mounted on and carried by the adjacent side face of convexly arcuate bearing plate 38. The bearing plates of the two ridge connector pieces overlap each other in a symmetrical arrangement. The two ridge pieces then are interconnected by means which permits their angular adjustment with respect to each other.

To this end each of the plates is provided with a central boss 42 which defines a transverse opening 44. The openings through the two plates receive a bolt 46 with nut 48. The bolt is sufficiently long so that it will interconnect not only plates 38 but also the ends of a pair of web members 14, thus integrating the truss and connector assemblies.

Opening 44 through each plate forms the center of a circle of which concavely arcuate bearing element 32 is a segment. The radius of the circle may be substantial, as required to pro vide a bearing which will absorb the stresses imposed upon the connector by heavy structural loads.

In this respect the presently described connector differs fundamentally from the connectors of the prior art. The prior art connectors relied exclusively upon an element such as bolt 46 to support the load. In practice, it obviously is impossible to supply a bolt which is sufficiently large to resist heavy loads.

in the present connector, bolts 46 serve merely to assemble the upper chord sections and interconnect them not only with each other but with webs 14. The structural load is borne in large measure by the heavy duty substantial bearing provided by beating elements 32, 38. This greatly increases the efficiency of the truss and enables its application to high load situations.

I claim:

1. A truss combination comprising a. a lower chord,

b. a pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other to form a central ridge, each of said upper chord sections comprising a pair of laterally spaced chord members,

c. a plurality of web members connecting the chords,

d. the adjacent ends of the two sections comprising the upper chord being spaced apart,

e. a pair of substantially identical ridge connector members each comprising:

1. a bearing support including an elongated tongue and a floor underlying and extending transversely of said tongue, said tongue being received in the space between said chord members and said floor lapping the bottoms of said chord members,

2. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections,

3. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and

4. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member,

5. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis,

6. said bearing member being mounted on one side of said bearing plate and the opposite side of said bearing plate being substantially aligned with said tongue,

f. the convexly arcuate bearing plates of both pieces overlapping each other and each plate mating in bearing relation with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other, and

g. connecting means extending through said registering openings and interconnecting the two overlapped plates.

2. For use in a pitched truss comprising a lower chord, a

pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other to form a central ridge, and a plurality of web members interconnecting the chords, the adjacent ends of the sections comprising the upper chord being spaced apart, a ridge connector in two substantially identical pieces, each piece comprising:

a. a bearing support including a pocket for receiving an end of one of the upper chord sections, said pocket comprising a tongue for lapping the side of the chord section and a floor underlying and extending transversely of said tongue for lapping the bottom of the chord section, b. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections, said means comprising an opening in the tongue for receiving a transverse pin penetrating the chord section and the tongue,

c. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and

d. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the support immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member,

e. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis for the reception of connecting means,

f. the two pieces thereby accommodating arrangement with the convexly arcuate bearin plate of one connector piece overlapping the convex y arcuate bearing plate of the other connecting piece, and each mating in bearing relation with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other for the reception of connecting means.

3. For use in a pitched truss comprising a lower chord, a pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other to form a central ridge, each of said sections comprising a pair of laterally spaced chord members, and a plurality of web members inter connecting the chords, the adjacent ends of the sections comprising the upper chord being spaced apart, a ridge connector in two substantially identical pieces, each piece comprising:

a. a bearing support including a pocket for receiving an end of each of said laterally spaced chord members, said pocket comprising an elongated tongue for reception in the space between the chord members and a floor underlying and extending transversely of said tongue for lapping the bottoms of said chord members,

b. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections,

0. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and

d. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the support immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member,

e. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis for the reception of connecting means,

f. said bearing member being mounted on one side of said bearing plate and the opposite side of said bearing plate being substantially aligned with said tongue,

g. the two pieces thereby accommodating arrangement with the convexly arcuate bearing plate of one connector piece overlapping the convexly arcuate bearing plate of the other connecting piece, and each mating in bearing relating with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other for the reception of connecting means. 

1. A truss combination comprising a. a lower chord, b. a pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other to form a central ridge, each of said upper chord sections comprising a pair of laterally spaced chord members, c. a plurality of web members connecting the chords, d. the adjacent ends of the two sections comprising the upper chord being spaced apart, e. a pair of substantially identical ridge connector members each comprising:
 1. a bearing support including an elongated tongue and a floor underlying and extending transversely of said tongue, said tongue being received in the space between said chord members and said floor lapping the bottoms of said chord members,
 2. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections,
 3. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and
 4. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member,
 5. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis,
 6. said bearing member being mounted on one side of said bearing plate and the opposite side of said bearing plate being substantially aligned with said tongue, f. the convexly arcuate bearing plates of both pieces overlapping each other and each plAte mating in bearing relation with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other, and g. connecting means extending through said registering openings and interconnecting the two overlapped plates.
 2. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections,
 2. For use in a pitched truss comprising a lower chord, a pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other to form a central ridge, and a plurality of web members interconnecting the chords, the adjacent ends of the sections comprising the upper chord being spaced apart, a ridge connector in two substantially identical pieces, each piece comprising: a. a bearing support including a pocket for receiving an end of one of the upper chord sections, said pocket comprising a tongue for lapping the side of the chord section and a floor underlying and extending transversely of said tongue for lapping the bottom of the chord section, b. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections, said means comprising an opening in the tongue for receiving a transverse pin penetrating the chord section and the tongue, c. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and d. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the support immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member, e. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis for the reception of connecting means, f. the two pieces thereby accommodating arrangement with the convexly arcuate bearing plate of one connector piece overlapping the convexly arcuate bearing plate of the other connecting piece, and each mating in bearing relation with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other for the reception of connecting means.
 3. For use in a pitched truss comprising a lower chord, a pitched upper chord including two sections arranged end to end at a predetermined angle to each other to form a central ridge, each of said sections comprising a pair of laterally spaced chord members, and a plurality of web members interconnecting the chords, the adjacent ends of the sections comprising the upper chord being spaced apart, a ridge connector in two substantially identical pieces, each piece comprising: a. a bearing support including a pocket for receiving an end of each of said laterally spaced chord members, said pocket comprising an elongated tongue for reception in the space between the chord members and a floor underlying and extending transversely of said tongue for lapping the bottoms of said chord members, b. means on the bearing support for securing the latter on the end of one of the upper chord sections, c. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and d. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the support immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member, e. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis for the reception of connecting means, f. said bearing member being mounted on one side of said bearing plate and the opposite side of said bearing plate being substantially aligned with said tongue, g. the two pieces thereby accommodating arrangement with the convexly arcuate bearing plate of one connector piece overlapping the convexly arcuate bearing plate of the other connecting piece, and each mating in bearing relating with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other for the reception of connecting means.
 3. a concavely arcuate bearing member projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, and
 4. a convexly arcuate bearing plate projecting outwardly from the outer end of the bearing support, immediately adjacent and laterally offset from and on a common axis with the concavely arcuate bearing member,
 5. the plate having an opening disposed on said common axis,
 6. said bearing member being mounted on one side of said bearing plate and the opposite side of said bearing plate being substantially aligned with said tongue, f. the convexly arcuate bearing plates of both pieces overlapping each other and each plAte mating in bearing relation with the concavely arcuate bearing member of the companion piece, with the openings in the plates disposed in registry with each other, and g. connecting means extending through said registering openings and interconnecting the two overlapped plates. 